Element Pictures, the production company behind Normal people, conversations with friends, and Oscar-winning films The favorite and room, and recently acquired by Fremantle, has expanded its creative team with the appointment of Christopher Aird as creative director.
Aird was appointed to the role by Element Pictures founders and co-CEOs Ed Guiney and Andrew Lowe and will begin the role in January 2023, based in Element’s London office.
Aird joins the team at Two Brothers Pictures, where for the past five years he has served as Head of Drama, executive producing numerous drama series, including Jamie Dornan’s The tourist for BBC One, HBO Max and Stan, two series of Baptist for BBC One, A liar, Angela Black and they cheat for ITV and The widow for Amazon and ITV. He is currently executive producing Jack and Harry Williams’ new TV thriller for BBC One, to be announced later this year. Aird previously worked as editor-in-chief for BBC Drama and creative director of drama for BBC Production in England and Scotland, following his work as a producer for Carnival Films and Kudos.
“It’s hard to leave Two Brothers as I loved working there, but the opportunity to be creative director at one of Europe’s most exciting production companies is too good to pass up,” said Aird. “Everything they made Element out of The lobster to A room to Normal people and Chat with friends shows such a commitment to realizing the vision of the writers and directors. I look forward to working with Ed, Andrew and the team.
In the newly created role of creative director, Aird will work alongside Guiney managing Element’s busy development and production across TV and film for the UK, US and international markets, and will also manage the editorial team, while continuing his own work as an executive director producer of selected projects.
“Chris is an exceptional producer and shares our DNA with his keen eye for quality and detail,” said Guiney and Lowe. “We couldn’t be more pleased to have him join the team at such an exciting time for Element as we continue to expand and build our roster going forward.”
The new hire marks a continued expansion for Element, following the news earlier this year that Fremantle had taken a majority stake in the international producer. Based in Dublin, Belfast and London, Element’s recent releases include those of Joanna Hogg The eternal daughterwhich is enjoying its European premiere at the Venice Film Festival, by Sebastian Lelio the miracle which had its first North American screening at the Telluride Film Festival, and Stephen William’s Chevalier, with its North American premiere at the Toronto Film Festival.
Element is currently in post-production on Shane Meadow’s period drama The gallows post for the BBC and are preparing to launch on Yorgos Lanthimos poor things starring Emma Stone, next year. Element and Lanthimos’ next film with Emma Stone and Willem Dafoe, Andhas just been announced, with filming set to begin later this year.